Overview

Based on the book Matilda, by British children's author Roald Dahl, this film moves the setting from the U.K. to the U.S.; otherwise it follows the original closely. Matilda Wormwood Mara Wilson is an extremely curious and intelligent little girl who is very different from her low-brow, mainstream parents Danny DeVito and real-life wife Rhea Perlman, who quite cruelly ignore her. As she grows older, she begins to discover that she has telekinetic powers. Not until a teacher shows her kindness for the first time ...

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Overview

Based on the book Matilda, by British children's author Roald Dahl, this film moves the setting from the U.K. to the U.S.; otherwise it follows the original closely. Matilda Wormwood Mara Wilson is an extremely curious and intelligent little girl who is very different from her low-brow, mainstream parents Danny DeVito and real-life wife Rhea Perlman, who quite cruelly ignore her. As she grows older, she begins to discover that she has telekinetic powers. Not until a teacher shows her kindness for the first time does she realize that she can use those powers to do something about her sufferings and help her friends as well. Villains from the awful Miss Trunchbull Pam Ferris, headmistress of her miserable school Crunchem Hall, to her parents and older brother begin to feel her ire. Look for Paul Reubens aka Pee Wee Herman in a small part as an FBI agent investigating Matilda's shady father.

Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble
- Donald Liebenson

Erstwhile Taxi tyrant turned filmmaker Danny DeVito is a good choice to bring Roald Dahl's book to the screen. They seem to be kindred spirits, with similar sensibilities for dark comedy built around those moments in life when horrible and unexplainable things happen. Matilda, for instance, has the bad luck to be born to the neglectful Wormwoods -- DeVito and real-life wife Rhea Perlman -- who discourage her love of books. Then, she is sent to a Dickensian school run by the monstrous Miss Trunchbill Pam Ferris. But Matilda the adorable Mara Wilson turns tragedy to triumph with the help of the compassionate teacher Miss Honey Embeth Davidtz and her own special telekinetic gifts. Matilda is rated PG for "exaggerated meanness and ridicule." This includes harrowing scenes of the verbally abusive Trunchbull shot-putting children out the window. But this just makes Matilda's Carrie-esque revenge all the sweeter. What makes the DVD Special Edition such a delight are the kid-friendly bonus features: among them, Wilson's own video diary of life on a movie set, an amusing "Guide to Good Manners" comprising scenes from the film, and a welcome segment extolling the virtues of the public library. Behind-the-scenes segments reveal the secrets of stunts and special effects, but as DeVito advises, watch the movie first. Lemony Snickett has nothing on Dahl when it comes to plucky children triumphing over unfortunate events. Devotees of the Dahl canon will appreciate DeVito's fidelity to the author's macabre vision.

All Movie Guide
- Michael Costello

The mordant vision of author Roald Dahl's world probably appealed to the director of War of the Roses and Hoffa, for it permeates this witty, eccentric, dark-toned children's film for adults. Matilda (Mara Wilson), an unusually bright six-year-old whose reading fare runs to Moby Dick and For Whom the Bell Tolls, is saddled with a pair of comically selfish and obtuse parents (Danny De Vito and Rhea Perlman) whom she has to persuade to allow her to go to school. But her teacher, the child-hating Miss Trunchbull Pam Ferris, proves no more enlightened than her parents. This hilariously exaggerated, Lewis Carroll-like version of the world is probably not too far from what many children may feel on a bad day. De Vito and Perlman camp it up outrageously and Ferris gives a terrific performance as a cartoonish villain. Cinematographer Stefan Czapsky shoots from a number of strange angles, making this perhaps the first expressionist film for children.

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I give this film high marks, but don't buy this DVD.

"Matilda" is a great movie that has much to say about how valuable each individual is, how the weak can triumph against the odds, and just how great it is to be alive.

But don't buy this DVD, because for some odd reason it is only available in a Pan & Scan format. The original film was widescreen, 2.35:1 and is beautiful to look at. On this DVD, you lose 40% of the visuals, lopped right off the sides of the screen. You can't see all the characters the director intended, and the entire mood of the scene is often changed as a result.

Labeling this DVD a "special edition" is such a shame, because we're losing so much. We need to lobby for an "extra special edition in the film's original widescreen format so we can see what we're missing.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted October 1, 2010

Matilda - a family favorite

I love this movie and definitely recommend it. I watched with this with my family along with Magic in the Water. Its the story of a bright girl and her weird family. Don't get me started on (shivers) the intimidating Ms. Trunchbull (i hope i spelled her name right, again I haven't this one in a while either). Matilda discovers that she has powers and befriends her teacher the pretty Ms. Honey. A scene that I couldn't believe and was speechless was the assembly and of course the chocolate cake incident oh and especially the way the principal pulled at the girl's braids and swung her in the air. I couldn't believe the girl didn't like scream after her hair was being pulled like that. I must say that the ending was sweet and I'm an avid reader myself. That room with the spikes behind the door was just creepy. Still a favorite among my collection of movies.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted May 6, 2012

Modern Fairy Tale.

Modern Fairy Tale.

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Anonymous

Posted January 15, 2012

Best kids movie ever!!!!!!

Matilda is a awesome movie about a girl with special power. This was and always will be my favorite kids movie. You have to watch this. Its amazing. Also read the book. Love this movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Anonymous

Posted April 16, 2011

A Great family film - A must See!!!

This movie is perfect for kids, along with the family
kids will love this movie. I promise you they will enjoy every minute of this movie

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SleepDreamWrite

Posted October 1, 2010

I Also Recommend:

A childhood favorite many remember

This is a story about a bright little girl name Matilda and her dysfunctional family. We then meet the infamous but memorable Miss Trunchbull, the Principal of the school. Soon Matilda begins to learn she has powers. Love the ending. After seeing the movie again, it brings back nostalgic memories. To this day it's still a great film. You got to admit some of the scenes were not only weird but a little out there. But we love the movie anyway. Definitely see this and give the book a read.

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Anonymous

Posted October 1, 2010

Matilda is the best

I've watched this movie more times than i can count! I wish I had the magic that Matilda does!

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Anonymous

Posted May 1, 2004

awesome

i think the movie was great just like the book and i also think it was partially funny with all the tricks matilda did on her parents and mrs trunchbull.

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Anonymous

Posted March 10, 2004

My two year old wants this movie!

I just watched this movie on a cable with commericals. My energenic son sat down and watched the whole thing with commercials. He was so mad when the commericals came on! I had to explain to him what commercials were. Since then he has been asking me to put it on, so now I am on line and have to order him the movie!

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Anonymous

Posted December 9, 2003

Great!!!

I have never seen the movie. But, i'm reading the book and its good!

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Anonymous

Posted July 3, 2003

Matilda Rocks

This is an exciting, suspensful movie full of wisdom, fun, and correct points. It's a movie both children, and adults can enjoy.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted October 1, 2010

WATCH THIS MAGIC

I LIKED THIS MOVIE A LOT BECAUSE OF ALL THE MAGIC THAT MATILDA DID TO THE PRINCIPAL THAT ABUSED THE KIDS. THE BEST PART I LIKED IS THE PART IN THE CLASSROOM WHEN THE PRINCIPAL GOT MAD AT MATILDA FOR COMING TO HER HOUSE THAT NIGHT.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted October 1, 2010

YES, my life is happy once again!

I had a bad weekend in January, and was starting to feel depressed, especially when it was snowing. Then TBS aired Matilda one evening, I watched it, and I felt good again. I hadn't seen the movie in 2 years, but I loved when I first saw it. Mara Wilson is a good role-model for kids growing up (I hope her next movie is great, because I haven't seen her in anything new lately), Danny DeVito is hilarious (in fact, he was hysterical in everything he ever appeared in) and the special effects for Matilda's powers are cool. Wouldn't we all want powers like hers?

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